Police in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, have launched a manhunt for suspects involved in a deadly attempted cash-in-transit (CIT) heist in Sidwell town, South Africa.

The incident occurred on December 30, 2024, at around 10:00 am, at a Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlet along Commercial Road at Port Elizabeth in South Africa when Fidelity security guards arrived to collect cash and were ambushed by armed suspects.

According to preliminary reports, the security guards were travelling in an armored cash-in-transit vehicle and stopped at the takeaway outlet when they were waylaid by armed robbers.

This led to a shootout leaving one of the suspects and a guard fatally wounded.

However, both victims later succumbed to death due to the intensity of their gun wounds.

The Hawks provincial spokesperson on December 31, 2024, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, confirmed the incident and revealed that one of the armed robbers was arrested at the crime scene.

According to him, no cash and firearms were taken; however, investigations into the failed money heist are underway.

’’I am glad that the second security guard was not killed because his statement and the one of the other suspect who was arrested at the crime scene are going to aid in police investigations,” Mhlakuvana said.

Mhlakuvana mentioned that more suspects are at large and urged anyone with information to contact the nearest police station to ease their investigations and arrest the culprits.

This incident highlights several significant CIT robbery incidents in Gqeberha, South Africa, showcasing the ongoing challenges with crime in the area.

On December 9, 2024, six suspects were arrested following a CIT robbery on the M17 near Mother well. The suspects ambushed a G4S armored vehicle, using explosives to access cash and three security guards sustained bullet wounds during the attack.

The swift response by a multi-disciplinary police team led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of firearms and stolen cash.